May 19, 1863. ] 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



367 



energies of the tree to go to the formation of flower-buds (in 

 embryo) for the ensuing season. The Violet, though an her- 

 baceous plant, may be treated exactly the same way, and with a 

 like happy result. 



Now, the above treatment, simple as it is, is not the only 

 attention required during summer. The plant being very liable 

 to red spider, meauB must be taken to counteract it if possible. 

 For that purpose a mixture of sulphur and soot is about the 

 best thing that we have tried, and when any of the leaves turn 

 yellow it is often a sure sign that this pest is at work. A good 

 watering when the atmosphere is moist will do some good, and 

 when the plants are dry dust them well with the mixture 

 mentioned above. The admixture of soot will render the colour 

 more like that of a healthy plant, and the formation of flower- 

 buds will go on mors prosperously in proportion as the plant is 

 healthy : by which is meant, that it is supposed to be maturing 

 its tissue in proper time and not prolonging the season's growth, 

 or becoming what may be called gross and leafy. We need hardly 

 add that occasionally moving the ground between the rows is 

 useful also during the early summer season, afterwards we expect 

 the plant will occupy it all. 



The forcing of the Violet is far from being at all times a suc- 

 cessful operation. The plant is impatient of forcing as generally 

 performed. It may, however, be forwarded considerably by 

 gentle means, not the least being the well and early preparation 

 of the plantB the preceding summer, so as to enable the plant 

 to have a period of rest ere it he excited again into growth ; for 

 if forced too early, leaves only will be the result. The beBt way 

 is to prepare some plants as directed above, and in October take 

 them up with a ball and plant them in an old Melon-bed that has 

 a little bottom beat (but very little), remaining. The plants 

 may be placed tolerably close, and with sufficient soil to enable 

 the roots to have plenty to live upon while the plant is in the 

 frame. We need hardly add that they must be near the glass ; 

 and if the position of the frame be one that it is advisable to keep 

 orderly, the interstices between the plants may be paved with 

 pebbles not larger than an egg. This will keep the flowers from 

 being dirtied in the soil. A little watering at the time will be 

 necessary, but will hardly be wanted afterwards. Violets may 

 also he taken up and forced in pots, and they do pretty well 

 that way. 



Unlike many of the kinds of plants cultivated for appearance 

 or use, this one has derived but little accession in the way of 

 new varieties for many years. True, now and then an improved 

 tree Violet is offered to the world, but it very often settles itself 

 down to be the old sort in a better state of cultivation. 

 Improvements on the single or Russian Violet are also announced 

 occasionally ; but they too often degenerate into the original. 

 Therefore, without noticing the names of the great raisers of 

 such things, a slight allusion to the kinds in most general ubo 

 will be sufficient for this article. 



First in point of importance is the old dark blue Violet, from 

 whence one more than usually woody or leggy has been trans- 

 formed into the tree Violet. This is, perhaps, the prettiest of 

 all the Violets, and it has the advantage of presenting us with a 

 few flowers almost during all the summer. It does not flower, 

 however, so well in the winter ; but when well grown and the 

 plants well and early ripened, it often flowers in March when 

 sheltered rather than forced. I believe there are improved 

 varieties of it said to be larger ; but they do not diSfer in any 

 material point from the original. 



Next to this variety is the Neapolitan Violet, a pale blue 

 variety, more free of growth and better adapted for forcing. 

 The habit of the plant is more spreading and requires more 

 pruning to keep it in order. It is, however, less susceptible to 

 red spider perhaps ; bat is, nevertheless, not more hardy than 

 the others. It is, perhaps, better adapted to a light soil, and 

 some insist that it is sweeter than the dark one ; but this is doubt- 

 ful. The stalks of the flower are, however, longer and bunch 

 better, and contrasting with the others it is better to have both. 



There are double white ones of both the above varieties ; but 

 the whites are not so generally admired, and the white Nea- 

 politan is a poor one. 



Nezt, therefore, in importance to the two named, and, perhaps, 

 eefual if not superior in point of utility to them, is the single 

 Russian, which flowers in the autumn in the open ground, and 

 through the winter if the weather be mild. This is, perhaps, 

 the most popular of all the Violets ; but, unfortunately, it is 

 seldom so well cared for as the double ones, although from the 

 fact ®f its supplying us with little bunches of Violets at a season 



when they are not to be had elsewhere, it deserves more attention 

 than it often receives. Some improved varieties of this have 

 from time to time appeared, an extensive grower in the weBt of 

 England having issued some new varieties of it. It is very ac- 

 commodating, and is too often ill-treated in respect to the situa- 

 tion it is planted in. Its flower-stems are, however, short, ae 

 might he expected from its flowering in midwinter. Never- 

 theless, with this drawback it is exceedingly useful. I am not 

 aware of a white variety of this kind, but it is not unlikely that 

 there may be one, as there is a white amongst the wild ones 

 which this much resembles. 



Besides theBe thfre is an old pink variety, double and pretty 

 but it lacks in a measure that agreeable smell which gives th? 

 Violet pre-eminence of everything— the Rose only excepted. 

 There are some other subordinate varieties, but the above 

 sufficient to give the amateur an idea of what they are, and also 

 to enable him to cultivate them successfully. — J. R. 



THI 



EOYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY'S SHOW, 

 Mat 13. 



Aftee a long course of dry weather both farmers and 

 gardeners were anxiously looking for rain, and they had their 

 wishes gratified on the day preceding the Show, when rain fell 

 in considerable quantity. The advent of rain, however, waB not 

 hailed by all with feelings of unmixed delight — plantB had to be 

 packed on the evening previous to the Show, and tarpaulin, 

 coverings for vans, and mackintoshes and umbrellas for man, were- 

 in great requisition, whilst dire was the consternation of many of 

 the intending lady visitors at the prospect of a dripping wet 

 day that would mar all pleasure, as well as sundry new silks 

 with fine French names, as to the meaning of which we are in a 

 state of misty uncertainty. But the fates were not adverse, for, 

 with the exception of one or two heavy showers, there was 

 nothing to detract from the enjoyment of one of the finest 

 exhibitions which have been Been at the Regent's Park. The 

 mass of colour which lay before the eye on entering. the large 

 canvas-covered space where the exhibitions are held was imposing ; 

 the green turf gave relief, whilst one was always discovering 

 fresh beauties in nooks and recesses that had escaped the first 

 glance. The Azaleas were superb, the stove and greenhouse 

 plantB splendid examples of skilful cultivation, and the more 

 modeBt-looking Heaths generally well grown, as well as very 

 attractive. 



Of stove and greenhouse plants several excellent collections 

 were brought forward for competition in the different classes. 

 In that for Bixteen Mr. Peed, gardener to Mrs. Tredwell, 

 Norwood, had a fine evenly-grown Tetratheca ericsefolia, Lepto- 

 dactylon californicum, Leschenaultia biloba grandiflora, Aphe- 

 lexis sesamoides rosea and macrantha purpurea, Pimelea speeta- 

 bilis and deeussata, Chorozema Lawrenciana, Franeiseea eon- 

 fertifolia, Erica depressa, two Azaleas, and some other plants, 

 all of which were well grown. This collection was considered 

 the best in the Amateurs' Class. Mr. Baxendine, gardener to 

 W. Smallpiece, Esq., Guildford, came next ; and among his 

 plants were Chorozema Henehmanni covered with bloom, Ste- 

 phanotis floribunda, Rhyncospermum jasminoides, Hovea Celsi, 

 Aphelexe3, &c. 



Other collections leBS numerous came from Messrs. J. & J. 

 Eraser, of Lea Bridge ; Jackson & Son, of Kingston ; J. & C. 

 Lee, of Hammersmith ; and A. Henderson & Co. ; and among 

 amateurs from Mr. Green, gardener to Sir E. Antrobus, Bart. ; 

 Mr. Ingram, of Reading ; Mr. Page, and Mr. Wheeler. Among 

 these there were excellent specimens of Leschenaultia intermedia 

 and biloba major, Acrophyllum venosum, Boronia serrulata, 

 Eriostemons, Polygala DalmaiBiana, several Azaleas, the beautiful 

 Clerodendron Thomsonse, Chorozemas, Erica Cavendishii 

 several Aphelexes, Rhyncospermum jasminoides, Hedaromas 

 Medinella magnifica, Labichea heterophylla, Allamanda grandi 

 flora, Francisceas, and Borne other plants which it would be 

 tedious to particularise. 



Azaleas, as already remarked, were superb, those of Messrs. 

 Veitch and Mr. Green being particularly fine. Among the. 

 varieties exhibited by Messrs. Veitch were Iveryana, Feltoni^ 

 Magnificent, Exquisita, Juliana, and Barclayana ; whilst Mn 

 Green had Alba magna, Chelsoni, Glory of Sunninghill, Trinm- 

 phans, Broughtoni, Juliana, and Magnificent. Arborea pur- 

 purea, from Mr. Turner, was a mass of bloom ; Admiration 

 Optima, Magnifica, Broughtoni, and sinensis from the same 



